Charles Wesley in Historical Charles Wesley in Historical Context: Poet, Priest and Context: Poet, Priest and

TheologianTheologian

Gresham College LectureGresham College Lecture

December 13, 2007December 13, 2007

Kenneth G.C. NewportKenneth G.C. Newport

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

The Letters of The Letters of Charles WesleyCharles Wesley

Covers whole of CW’s LifeCovers whole of CW’s Life How many? How many? C. 850?C. 850?

Example: Letter of Charles Wesley Example: Letter of Charles Wesley to his wife (Sarah) c. 1755to his wife (Sarah) c. 1755

Charles Charles Wesley’s Wesley’s

Manuscript Manuscript JournalJournal

Example: Charles Example: Charles Wesley Arrives in Wesley Arrives in America (1736)America (1736)

Grimalkin the Cat Grimalkin the Cat (Artist’s Impression)(Artist’s Impression)

On a battle of CatsOn a battle of Cats(MS ‘nursery’ prior to 1779)(MS ‘nursery’ prior to 1779)

I Sing Grimalkin brave and boldI Sing Grimalkin brave and bold

Who Makes Intruders FlyWho Makes Intruders Fly

His claws and whiskers they beholdHis claws and whiskers they behold

And squall and scamper byAnd squall and scamper by

Charles Wesley Charles Wesley

The Poetical CompositionsThe Poetical Compositions

c. 9000 Poetical c. 9000 Poetical CompositionsCompositions

c. 2,500 hymnsc. 2,500 hymns

Example: ‘Hark how all Example: ‘Hark how all the Welkin Rings’ the Welkin Rings’ (Better known as ‘Hark (Better known as ‘Hark the Herald Angels the Herald Angels Sing’)Sing’)

Shorthand Journal Shorthand Journal SectionSection

Charles Charles reflects on his reflects on his brother’s brother’s impending impending marriagemarriage

Thomas Thomas MaxfieldMaxfield

• Died 1794

•First Lay preacher

•Perfection disputes

•Bell’s Apocalypse

• Split with Wesley in early 1760’s

Charles’ Charles’ Report on Report on the French the French Prophets Prophets

(1739)(1739)

•Apocalyptic group

•Rejection of sacrament

•Charles took firm line

Poetical CompositionsPoetical Compositions

Hymns on God’s Hymns on God’s Everlasting Love Everlasting Love (1741)(1741)

Anti-CalvinistAnti-Calvinist ‘‘The Horrible Decree’The Horrible Decree’

‘‘For the Mahometans’For the Mahometans’

The smoke of the infernal cave,The smoke of the infernal cave,Which half the Christian world o'erspread,Which half the Christian world o'erspread,Disperse, Thou heavenly Light, and saveDisperse, Thou heavenly Light, and save

The souls by that Impostor led,The souls by that Impostor led,That Arab–chief, as Satan bold,That Arab–chief, as Satan bold,

Who quite destroyed Thy Asian fold.Who quite destroyed Thy Asian fold.O might the blood of sprinkling cryO might the blood of sprinkling cry

For those who spurn the sprinkled blood!For those who spurn the sprinkled blood!Assert Thy glorious Deity,Assert Thy glorious Deity,

Stretch out Thine arm, Thou Triune GodStretch out Thine arm, Thou Triune GodThe Unitarian fiend expel,The Unitarian fiend expel,

And chase his doctrine back to hell.And chase his doctrine back to hell.

Dr Thomas Dr Thomas CokeCoke

1747-18141747-1814 ‘‘Ordained’ by Wesley, Ordained’ by Wesley,

17841784 Methodist Methodist

‘superintendent’ for ‘superintendent’ for AmericaAmerica

Sermon on Sermon on Acts 20.7Acts 20.7

Shows Charles Shows Charles working ‘with his working ‘with his head’ head’

Charles’Charles’Sermon on Sermon on John 8.1-11John 8.1-11

Shows Charles’ Shows Charles’ ability to speak to ability to speak to the those who did the those who did not have the benefits not have the benefits of an educationof an education

The The Sermons of Sermons of

Charles Charles WesleyWesley

•23 Sermons

•50% in shorthand

•Most prior to 1743

John and Charles WesleyJohn and Charles Wesley

If well I know the tuneful artIf well I know the tuneful artTo captivate the human heartTo captivate the human heartThe glory, Lord, be thineThe glory, Lord, be thineA servant of thy perfect willA servant of thy perfect willI here devote my utmost skillI here devote my utmost skillTo sing thy praise divineTo sing thy praise divine

Charles Wesley, 1707-1788Charles Wesley, 1707-1788